The Happiest Day

The happiest day --- the happiest hour
   My sear'd and blighted heart hath known,
The highest hope of pride and power,
   I feel hath flown.

Of power! said I? yes! such I ween;
   But they have vanish'd long, alas!
The visions of my youth have been ---
   But let them pass.

And, pride, what have I now with thee?
   Another brow may even inherit
The venom thou hast pour'd on me
   Be still, my spirit!

The happiest day --- the happiest hour
   Mine eyes shall see --- have ever seen,
The brightest glance of pride and power,
   I feel have been:

But were that hope of pride and power
   Now offer'd with the pain
Even then I felt --- that brightest hour
   I would not live again:

For on its wing was dark alloy,
   And, as it flutter'd --- fell
An essence --- powerful to destroy
   A soul that knew it well.